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s a child, I couldn’t wait for the mail to run on Thursday afternoons.

Thursday was the day The Journal arrived at my grandparents’ home.

They were faithful subscribers because my grandfather was interested to see if any of his loyal propane gas customers were in the obituaries.

Not me. I wasn’t interested in who had passed away. I was fascinated with the juicy news stories on the front page or special-interest stories that told me who people were.

Then, I wasn’t big enough to hold the spread in my hands. So, I’d resort to the next best thing – the living room floor or my grandmother’s kitchen table to make sure I could read the jumps and the inside pages.

I was often scolded for getting ink smudges all over my hands and face. Back then, I didn’t understand how anyone could read a newspaper without getting ink on their hands. Heck, I still can’t, but now the black ink signifies hard work.

As the years passed, I decided to make journalism my career. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some pretty great folks at other newspapers around here, but I’m especially excited to be back in the county that has helped shape who I am.

I’m excited to be able to tell your stories and report on issues that are important to you, and the best part is I get to do all this in the very outlet that gave me my first glimpse of community journalism and the excitement it brings.

So, whether it’s a church event, your child excelling in academics, athletics or anything in between, I want to know about it.

If you forget to tell me, just snap a quick photo and send my way. If you just want to stop by and say, “Hey,” come on by.

The best part of community journalism is it’s truly all about the community and what’s important to our readers.

I hope that when The Journal comes to your home or you see it in a rack at the store that you get excited about what’s inside. I know I am.